The previously lively dinner party fell silent due to Lu Caiwei's words.
Everyone knew that it was no longer appropriate to joke or chat idly, as serious matters had arrived.
Although one could not truly understand the joys and sorrows of others, Lu Caiwei was, after all, a friend of Yan Shouyi and Lin Zitong. For a friend of a friend to be in trouble, and to be laughing happily here, would be impolite and ill-bred.
As everyone quieted down, Long Feicheng became restless.
He asked, "What exactly is going on?"
Yan Shouyi glanced at Long Feicheng, his eyes seeming to say: I knew you still had designs on her, but fine, I'll give you a chance to shine!
There was a tacit understanding between Long Feicheng and Yan Shouyi, like "brothers." He took a few tissues, moved them next to Lu Caiwei, and handed them to her, saying, "Take your time, don't rush."
Lu Caiwei looked up, her eyes teary, and took the tissues. She also gave Long Feicheng a grateful look.
It had to be said that although Long Feicheng's personality was mischievous and he was often not serious, after accompanying Yan Shouyi on their travels, he had matured considerably.
Now, he was no longer the insignificant little security guard from Shanghang Art School, but a "wanderer" who had seen his share of storms.
Lu Caiwei wiped her tears and said, "I don't really understand the specifics. My father has always disliked his work affecting his family, especially me. So, before my father was plagued by evil spirits and fell ill, I didn't even know about the anonymous letters."
"At the beginning of my father's illness, it was just a cold and fever. It got progressively worse, leaving him bedridden and even hallucinating, always saying there were strangers in the house. We went to several hospitals, and even the director couldn't figure out what was wrong. It was only later that I learned about the anonymous letters, and realized that my father might have been afflicted by evil spirits."
Lin Zitong said anxiously, "Since you discovered he was afflicted by evil spirits, why didn't you contact me immediately?"
"You were in the Imperial Mausoleum a few days ago," Xia Zhi helped explain.
Yan Shouyi frowned, "Distant water can't quench near fire. Contacting us then wouldn't have been very useful, but Officer Xia Zhi should also know people from the Lushan Sect. Wouldn't it be faster to ask them to help?"
Xia Zhi sighed, her expression not looking good. "I specifically went to find the masters of the Lushan Sect for this matter, but they... refused to act."
"What?!"
Everyone was stunned. How could the Lushan Sect refuse to act?
It was known that the Lushan Sect was a local sect in Rongcheng, and protecting the safety of the people of Rongcheng was their primary responsibility.
Moreover, if they could indeed solve the problem, the Lushan Sect would be beloved by the people and their incense offerings would be even more prosperous.
Not to mention Xia Zhi's acquaintance with the disciples of the Lushan Sect, and the special identity of Lu Caiwei's father.
Yan Shouyi could not imagine any reason for them to refuse to help.
The intelligent Lin Zitong's eyes suddenly sharpened, and she thought of a possibility: "Could Lu Xin have intervened?"
"That's possible," Yan Shouyi nodded slightly. It was said that Lu Xin had already entered the Lushan Sect and had usurped Lu Jing's authority.
This meant that as long as Lu Xin did not agree, no one in the Lushan Sect would dare to save Lu Caiwei's father.
"Damn it!"
Long Feicheng couldn't help but curse, "This Lu Xin is really not a good person. Brother Yan, let's go to the Lushan Sect right now!"
Luo Ning glared at him irritably, "Instead of going to the Lushan Sect to question Lu Xin about why he's not acting, it's better to save the person first and relieve the urgent need."
"...You're right." Long Feicheng calmed down.
Lu Caiwei didn't understand what Yan Shouyi and the others were discussing. She couldn't help but want to cry again when she thought of her bedridden father:
"My dad is getting weaker every day. The doctors are helpless and have asked us to prepare for his funeral..."
Lin Ruofu said at this moment, "I also have some acquaintance with Old Lu. If I had known about his condition earlier... Shouyi, Zitong, if you're not too tired, please go and visit Old Lu quickly."
"Mm."
Yan Shouyi agreed. They could always eat later, but if they missed the chance to save someone, it would be gone.
He immediately said, "Old Jin, can you do it?"
Old Jin touched the few remaining hairs on his head and said, "How can a man say no?"
As the only middle-aged man in the group, Old Jin had a stubbornness that refused to yield.
"Alright, you all stay here and eat. I'll take Old Jin to take a look," Yan Shouyi paused, then patted Long Feicheng's shoulder, "What are you standing there for, you idiot? You come along too."
When it came to visiting Lu Caiwei's father, others could choose not to go, but Long Feicheng could not. Yan Shouyi was creating an opportunity for him to gain favor.
Long Feicheng snapped back to reality, nodded, and asked seriously, "Should I bring Caiwei Sword?"
He was worried they might encounter some demons or ghosts this time, so bringing the Caiwei Sword might be safer.
However, he completely forgot that the sword was named after Lu Caiwei.
Lu Caiwei, who was beside him, was stunned: "What sword?"
"Ah?..."
Long Feicheng came to his senses, his mature demeanor instantly vanishing. He nervously mumbled vaguely, "It's... just a sword."
As he said this, he quickly went to a corner and slung his Caiwei Sword over his back.
Yan Shouyi comforted him, "The trouble shouldn't be too big. Perhaps Little Long can handle it himself."
Such a small matter didn't require everyone to be present, so Yan Shouyi also left Lin Zitong at Yonghehui.
Although Lin Zitong also wanted to help her best friend with her troubles, she was the hostess after all, and the guests couldn't be left to fend for themselves while the hosts were all gone.
Therefore, the task of hosting and arranging everyone was handed over to Lin Zitong. Yan Shouyi, accompanied by Long Feicheng and Old Jin, walked out of the private room with Lu Caiwei and Xia Zhi.
The five of them went downstairs to the parking lot outside Yonghehui and squeezed into the police car driven by the police officer Xia Zhi.
There was a faint smell of smoke in the car, which was unavoidable for official vehicles. Fortunately, after getting into the car, the youthful fragrance of Lu Caiwei and Xia Zhi diluted the smoky smell considerably.
Xia Zhi started the car, and as she drove out of the parking lot, she said, "Director Lu is at the Municipal Hospital now."
"Have there been any strange occurrences in Rongcheng recently?" Yan Shouyi asked casually.
Xia Zhi enjoyed discussing these matters with Yan Shouyi. Before Yan Shouyi left Rongcheng, she had several peculiar cases, and it was through Yan Shouyi's guidance that she made significant breakthroughs and apprehended the culprits.
Some cases that seemed strange were actually man-made. Yan Shouyi didn't need to step in; he merely relied on his deductions to discover a few details and offer pointers to Xia Zhi, who then had an epiphany.
She replied, "Since Ping'an Building was cleared out and the Ghost King family was annihilated, the public security in Rongcheng has improved significantly. There have been very few homicides, and even when there are, the cases are very simple and solved within a day or two."
Yan Shouyi nodded. When he flew back to Rongcheng, he had already noticed that the fortune of Rongcheng was much better than before.
There were many factors that influenced the fortune of a city. In addition to geography and feng shui, some outstanding individuals could also influence the city's fortune.
For example, if a city produced a good official who understood the people's sentiments, and the people lived in peace and contentment, the city's fortune would naturally prosper.
Conversely, if there were bullies in the city, or if some bad people held sway, and the people lived in fear, the city's fortune would also be in chaos.
It seemed that Rongcheng's fortune was still good, but there were still traces of impurity mixed with the auspicious aura, indicating that there were still some minor troubles in Rongcheng that had not been completely eradicated.